Tropical Storm Ernesto could strengthen into hurricane as it passes near Puerto Rico: NHC

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Updated  August 13, 2024 11:41pm EDT
FOX 35 Orlando

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ORLANDO, Fla. - The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor Tropical Storm Ernesto as Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters report that the storm is strengthening on its trek through the Caribbean.

In the NHC's 8 p.m. update, forecasters said the storm has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and is moving toward the west-northwest at about 18 mph. Ernesto was located about 20 miles east of St. Thomas and approximately 90 miles east of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The storm is expected to shift northwest overnight, gradually decreasing in speed, followed by a north-northwest and northward turn on Wednesday night into Thursday. Ernesto's center is forecast to pass just northeast and north of Puerto Rico overnight and Wednesday before moving over the western Atlantic, approaching Bermuda by Friday and Friday night.

Tropical Storm Ernesto is forecast to strengthen further and is expected to become a hurricane late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from Ernesto’s center. 

Tropical Storm Ernesto: Latest forecast cone, spaghetti models, satellite imagery

Will Tropical Storm Ernesto impact Florida?

FOX 35 Storm Team Meteorologist Brooks Garner said a rare summer cold front will push into Florida this weekend, ushering in a drier air mass. Though not noticeably much "cooler," it will steer Tropical Storm Ernesto safely east of Florida by over 800 miles.

"While we won't have any direct impact here, we will see our swells building on the Atlantic coast, bringing a dangerous threat for rip currents midweek through the weekend," Garner said. "Ernesto will be picked up by a trough to the north in a pattern more typical of October than mid-August, steering the tropical system well east of Florida as it curves into the open Atlantic," he added.

Tropical Storm Ernesto watches, warnings

Hurricane Watch issued for: 

  • U.S. Virgin Islands
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Vieques and Culebra  

Tropical Storm Warning issued for: 

  • British Virgin Islands
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Puerto Rico
  • Vieques and Culebra

2024 Atlantic hurricane season names, pronunciation guide

Hurricane season 2024 Atlantic basin tropical cyclone names (FOX Weather)

  • Alberto (al-BAIR-toe)
  • Beryl (BEHR-ril)
  • Chris (kris)
  • Debby (DEH-bee)
  • Ernesto (er-NES-toh)
  • Francine (fran-SEEN)
  • Gordon (GOR-duhn)
  • Helene (heh-LEEN)
  • Isaac (EYE-zik)
  • Joyce (joys)
  • Kirk (kurk)
  • Leslie (LEHZ-lee)
  • Milton (MIL-ton)
  • Nadine (nay-DEEN)
  • Oscar (AHS-kur)
  • Patty (PAT-ee)
  • Rafael (rah-fah-ELL)
  • Sara (SAIR-uh)
  • Tony (TOH-nee)
  • Valerie (VAH-lur-ee)
  • William (WILL-yum)

If all of a season's names are used, an alternate name list includes an additional 21 names. Those names for the Atlantic season include, Adria, Braylen, Caridad, Deshawn, Emery, Foster, Gemma, Heath, Isla, Jacobus, Kenzie, Lucio, Makayla, Nolan, Orlanda, Pax, Ronin, Sophie, Tayshaun, Viviana, and Will.

When does hurricane season end?

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico. 

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